title: Molecular analysis of the phospholipids of Escherichia coli k12.
abstract: Phospholipids from Escherichia coli K12 were converted to 1,2-diacylglycerols with phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus. High-pressure liquid chromatography of 1,2-diacylglycerol p-methoxybenzoates on LiChrosorb RP-18 using 2-propanol/acetonitrile (35:65) as eluant permitted separation of 14 molecular species. The main combinations of fatty acids were 1-16:0-2-16:1, 1-16:0-2-cyclo-17:0 and 1-16:0-2-18:1. Positional isomers were not present. The 1,2-di-16:0 compound was present at a significant level (7-10 mol%). Proportions of molecular species varied between phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. Phospholipid from the outer membrane of E. coli K12 contained a lower level of molecules with two unsaturated chains than was present in the cytoplasmic membrane. The method is sensitive, has good resolving power and employs readily available equipment.
mesh_terms: D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000201:enzymology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000032:analysis*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis*; D010738:Type C Phospholipases
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D010738:Type C Phospholipases